The Variscan post-collisional volcanism in Late Carboniferous–Permian sequences of Ligurian Alps, Southern Alps and Sardinia (Italy): a synthesis

In the considered wide sector of the West-Mediterranean southern Europe, the collisional phase of the Variscan orogeny during Late Carboniferous and Permian times was followed by magmatic intrusive and effusive activity and sedimentation into intracontinental, alluvial to lacustrine basins originated by wrench- to normal-fault systems. The first volcanic cycle (generally Late Carboniferous-Early Permian in age) is represented by early calc-alkaline andesites and rhyolites, in variable amounts, and by following large volume of rhyolites, and by dacites. Both andesites and rhyolites show K-normal and high-K calc-alkaline character. The origin of the liquids of the first cycle is ascribed to partial melting processes at the mantle–crust interface telescoped within a thickened crust. The melting is considered as the consequence of thermal re-equilibration following isostatic disequilibrium and the subsequent collapse of the orogenic belt; the ascent of liquids occurred in a (trans-)tensional regime. The second magmatic cycle is represented by alkaline magmatism, and exhibits typical anorogenic features consistent with a rifting regime. This event was no more related with the collapse of the Variscan belt, but rather to the post-Variscan global re-organization of plates that evolved during Late Triassic times to the neo-Tethyan rifting. In both cycles, important differences in timing, areal distribution and outpoured volumes arise.     

The Laptev Sea Rift

In north-eastern Siberia the active mid-ocean Gakkel Ridge interacts with the continental shelf of the Laptev Sea. Extension has affected the shelf since at least the Early Tertiary and has resulted in the formation of a complex horst and graben system. We present new seismic data from the Laptev Sea including deep seismic soundings.The most prominent rift basin is the Ust' Lena Rift with a minimum E–W width of 300 km at latitude 75°N and a Cenozoic infill up to 13 km in thickness. The asymmetric shape of the basin and conclusive evidence for a detachment imply a simple-shear geometry. The suggested rift model combines a ramp and flat geometry for the detachment with ductile stretching beneath the detachment. A major west-dipping, hingeline, listric fault separates the Ust' Lena Rift from the Laptev Horst.The 100–150 km wide Laptev Horst is subdivided into three units by narrow rift grabens. Another prominent rift graben is the Anisin Basin, which is located in the northern shelf area.Though the Laptev Sea Rift formed in interaction with an active mid-oceanic ridge, there are indications that the Laptev Sea rift is of the ‘passive rift’ type. The rift was developed east of a SW–NE trending transfer zone which links the Gakkel Ridge to the Laptev Sea Rift.     

Acritarchs of Las Ventanas Formation (Ediacaran, Uruguay): Implications for the timing of coeval rifting and glacial events in western Gondwana

Acritarchs and other organic-walled microfossils occurring in siltstones of the Las Ventanas Formation (Quebrada de Viera and El Perdido members) are systematically described and illustrated. The assemblage includes the following species: Leiosphaeridia tenuissima, Leiosphaeridia minutissima, Lophosphaeridium sp., Soldadophycus bossii, Soldadophycus major, Soldadophycus sp. and Vendotaenia antiqua. The microflora is characterized by low diversity (six species), dominance of L. tenuissima, absence of acanthomorphic acritarchs, and relatively large size of sphaeromorphs, reaching 400 μm in diameter. A number of species are shared with acritarch assemblages preserved in the overlying Arroyo del Soldado Group. Differences between assemblages include the occurrence of abundant Bavlinella faveolata and small size of spheroids in the Arroyo del Soldado Group. The assemblage occurring in Las Ventanas Formation is assigned to the Ediacaran Leiosphere Palynoflora, which spans the interval between the base of the Ediacaran (end of the Marinoan Glaciation, 635 Ma) and the termination of the Gaskiers Glaciation (582 Ma). An early Ediacaran age between 615 and 579 Ma is also supported by available radiometric ages. An extensional setting for Las Ventanas basin is suggested on the basis of the bimodal, synsedimentary volcanism, strong palaeorelief, great thickness of alluvial fan conglomerates and the evolution from continental to open marine environments. Diamictites occurring in the Quebrada de Viera Member are described for the first time, including associated dropstones which suggest a glacial origin. If confirmed, this would be one more example of the association between rifting and glaciation in the Neoproterozoic, coeval with a low-diversity, high-abundance acritarch microflora. A causal relationship between these tectonic, climatic and biologic events is discussed.     

Rifting Attractor Structures in the Baikal Rift System: Location and Effects

The current geodynamics and tectonophysics of the Baikal rift system (BRS) as recorded in lithospheric stress and strain are discussed in the context of self organization of nonlinear dissipative dynamic systems and nonlinear media. The regional strain field inferred from instrumental seismic moment and fault radius data for almost 70,000 M_LH ⩾ 2.0 events of 1968 through 1994 shows a complex pattern with zones of high strain anisotropy in the central part and both flanks of the rift system (the South Baikal, Hovsgöl, and Muya rift basins, respectively). The three zones of local strain anisotropy highs coincide with domains of predominantly vertical stress where earthquakes of different magnitudes are mostly of normal slip geometry. Pulse-like reversals of principal stresses in the high-strain domains appear to be nonlinear responses of the system to subcrustal processes. In this respect, the BRS lithosphere is interpreted in terms of the self organization theory as a geological dissipative system. Correspondingly, the domains of high strain anisotropy and stress change, called rifting attractor structures (RAS), are the driving forces of its evolution. The location and nonlinear dynamics of the rifting attractors have controlled lithospheric stress and strain of the rift system over the period of observations, and the same scenario may have been valid also in the Mesozoic-Cenozoic rifting history. The suggested model of a positive-feedback (fire-like) evolution of nonlinear dynamical systems with rifting attractors opens a new perspective on the current geodynamics and tectonophysics of the Baikal rift system.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987113000388

The AravallieDelhi and Satpura Mobile Belts(ADMB and SMB)and the Eastern Ghat Mobile Belt(EGMB)in India form major Proterozoic mobile belts with adjoining cratons and contemporary basins.The most convincing features of the ADMB and the SMB have been the crustal layers dipping from both sides in opposite directions,crustal thickening(w45 km)and high density and high conductivity rocks in upper/lower crust associated with faults/thrusts.These observations indicate convergence while domal type refectors in the lower crust suggest an extensional rifting phase.In case of the SMB,even the remnant of the subducting slab characterized by high conductive and low density slab in lithospheric mantle up to w120 km across the PurnaeGodavari river faults has been traced which may be caused by fuids due to metamorphism.Subduction related intrusives of the SMB south of it and the ADMB west of it suggest NeS and EeW directed convergence and subduction during MesoeNeoproterozoic convergence.The simultaneous EeW convergence between the Bundelkhand craton and Marwar craton(Western Rajasthan)across the ADMB and the NeS convergence between the Bundelkhand craton and the Bhandara and Dharwar cratons across the SMB suggest that the forces of convergence might have been in a NEeSW direction with EeW and NeS components in the two cases,respectively.This explains the arcuate shaped collision zone of the ADMB and the SMB which are connected in their western part.The Eastern Ghat Mobile Belt(EGMB)also shows signatures of E eW directed MesoeNeoproterozoic convergence with East Antarctica similar to ADMB in north India.Foreland basins such as Vindhyan(ADMBeSMB),and Kurnool(EGMB)Supergroups of rocks were formed during this convergence.Older rocks such as Aravalli(ADMB),MahakoshaleBijawar(SMB),and Cuddapah(EGMB)Supergroups of rocks with several basic/ultrabasic intrusives along these mobile belts,plausibly formed during an earlier episode of rifting during PaleoeMesoproterozoic period.They are highly disturbed and deformed due to subsequent MesoeNeoproterozoic convergence.As these Paleoproterozoic basins are characterized by large scale basic/ultrabasic intrusives that are considerably wide spread,it is suggested that a plume/superplume might have existed under the Indian cratons at that time which was responsible for the breakup of these cratons.Further,the presence of older intrusives in these mobile belts suggests that there might have been some form of convergence also during Paleoproterozoic period.     

南冲绳海槽岩石圈构造动力作用机制探讨

由最新获得的重磁、地震和多波束地形数据 ,结合多尺度的地幔流动力分析 ,展示了南冲绳海槽岩石圈构造动力的多样性特征和其内在的联系。从上新世开始的三幕张性断陷活动是在以前的压性断裂构造的基础上发展起来的 ,向岛弧侧迁移 ,岩浆、火山活动主要集中在正断层与平移断层的交汇处。深部动力源可归结为上地幔对流产生的菲律宾海板块俯冲 ,引起岛弧岩石圈挤压褶皱而向海沟旋张掀斜 ,产生弧后岩石圈的张性构造 ;进一步引起弧后软流圈挤压隆起 ,岩石圈与软流圈耦合作用导致海槽断陷张裂、岩浆活动。冲绳海槽仍是一个软流圈在汇聚的弧后盆地。全球性左旋压扭滑移背景 ,琉球海沟南段俯冲受阻小、强度大 ,台湾—吕宋的北向挤压 ,使海槽表现为剪张性 ,由平移断层调控使张性断裂左旋雁行排列 ,整个海槽张性构造由北往南推进 ,张应力方向由NW过渡到NNW。     

Structure and evolution of a passive margin in a compressive environment: Example of the south-western Alps-Ligurian basin junction during the Cenozoic

We focus on the northern Ligurian margin, at the geological junction of the subalpine domain and the Ligurian oceanic basin, in order (1) to identify the location of the southern limit of the Alpine compressive domain during the Cenozoic, and (2) to study the influence of a compressive environment on the tectonic and sedimentary evolution of a passive margin.Based on published onshore and offshore data, we first propose a chronology of the main extensional and compressional regional tectonic events.High-resolution seismic data image the margin structure down to ∼3 km below seafloor. These data support that past rifting processes control the present-day margin structure, and that 2800-4000 m of synrift sediment was deposited on this segment of the margin in two steps. First, sub-parallel reflectors indicate sediment deposition within a subsident basin showing a low amount of extension. Then, a fan-shaped sequence indicates block tilting and a higher amount of extension. We do not show any influence of the Miocene Alpine compression on the present-day margin structure at our scale of investigation, despite the southern subalpine relief formed in the close hinterland at that time. The southern front of the Miocene Alps was thus located upslope from the continental margin.Finally, a comparison with the Gulf of Lions margin suggests that the tectonic influence of the Alpine compression on the rifting processes is restrited to an increase of the subsidence related to flexure ahead of the Alpine front, explaining abnormally high synrift thicknesses in the study area. The Alpine environment, however, has probably controlled the sedimentary evolution of the margin since the rifting. Indeed, sediment supply and distribution would be mainly controlled by the permanent building of relief in the hinterland and by the steep basin morphology, rather than by sea-level fluctuations, even during the Messinian sea-level low-stand.     

Different expressions of rifting on the South China Sea margins

Rifting of continental margins is generally diachronous along the zones where continents break due to various factors including the boundary conditions which trigger the extensional forces, but also the internal physical boundaries which are inherent to the composition and thus the geological history of the continental margin. Being opened quite recently in the Tertiary in a scissor-shape manner, the South China Sea (SCS) offers an image of the rifting structures which varies along strike the basin margins. The SCS has a long history of extension, which dates back from the Late Cretaceous, and allows us to observe an early stretching on the northern margin onshore and offshore South China, with large low angle faults which detach the Mesozoic sediments either over Triassic to Early Cretaceous granites, or along the short limbs of broad folds affecting Palaeozoic to Early Cretaceous series. These early faults create narrow troughs filled with coarse polygenic conglomerate grading upward to coarse sandstone. Because these low-angle faults reactivate older trends, they vary in geometry according to the direction of the folds or the granite boundaries. A later set of faults, characterized by generally E–W low and high angle normal faults was dominant during the Eocene. Associated half-graben basement deepened as the basins were filling with continental or very shallow marine sediments. This subsequent direction is well expressed both in the north and the SW of the South China Sea and often reactivated earlier detachments. At places, the intersection of these two fault sets resulting in extreme stretching with crustal boudinage and mantle exhumation such as in the Phu Khanh Basin East of the Vietnam fault. A third direction of faults, which rarely reactivates the detachments is NE–SW and well developed near the oceanic crust in the southern and southwestern part of the basin. This direction which intersects the previous ones was active although sea floor spreading was largely developed in the northern part, and ended by the Late Miocene after the onset of the regional Mid Miocene unconformity known as MMU and dated around 15.5 Ma. Latest Miocene is marked by a regional basement drop and localized normal faults on the shelf closer to the coast. The SE margin of the South China Sea does not show the extensional features as well as the Northern margin. Detachments are common in the Dangerous Grounds and Reed Bank area and may occasionally lead to mantle exhumation. The sedimentary environment on the extended crust remained shallow all along the rifting and a large part of the spreading until the Late Miocene, when it suddenly deepened. This period also corresponds to the cessation of the shortening of the NW Borneo wedge in Palawan, Sabah, and Sarawak. We correlate the variation of margin structure and composition of the margin; mainly the occurrence of granitic batholiths and Mesozoic broad folds, with the location of the detachments and major normal faults which condition the style of rifting, the crustal boudinage and therefore the crustal thickness.     

Migration of growth axial surfaces and its implications for multiphase tectono-sedimentary evolution of the Zhangwu fault depression,southern Songliao Basin,NE China

The normal fault-bend folding theory uses active axial surfaces, inactive axial surfaces, and growth axial surfaces to describe the geometric relationship between faults and deformation of a hanging wall. The dip of a growth axial surface is related to the fault slip rate and the basin sedimentation rate: higher fault slip rates result in smaller dips of growth axial surfaces, whereas higher basin sedimentation rates produce larger dips of growth axial surfaces. Moreover, the growth axial surface will be a straight line if both the fault slip and sedimentation rates remain relatively unchanged, but will become curved if both rates are variable. Therefore, the characteristics of growth axial surfaces can provide clear information on the evolution of faulting and deposition. By studying the seismic profiles of the Zhangwu fault depression of the southern Songliao Basin, we show that the migration of growth axial surfaces and unconformities can be used as indicators of basin development. Multiphase tectonic activity will not only produce unconformities but also result in migration of growth axial surfaces or inactive axial surfaces. Therefore, the normal fault-bend folding theory, particularly with regard to the evolution of growth axial surfaces, can be applied to the interpretation of geometric and kinematic evolutions of half-grabens and the exploration of related tectono-sedimentary processes.